A week around here

Family commitments kept us close to home this past week, so we kept our walking to the boardwalk. I finally finished spring cleaning and we bought the mulch we needed for the garden. My husband and I hope to get the work done outside this week. In between, there may be a picnic or two.

One day, the sun poked through the clouds to illuminate the far side of the lighthouse in Bedeque Bay. Cormorants were visible along the rocks and platform there.

The warblers have returned to Prince Edward Island and we saw a few this past week. Yellow Warblers serenaded walkers 

while this Yellow-rumped Warbler collected material for its nest.

The Black Duck grabbed our attention as it noisily made its way to the salt marsh. The other soon followed.

Great Blue Herons frequent the salt marsh. It looks like they can twist their long necks in a knot.

This male Mallard is without his mate now. She is probably on a nest these days while mister argues with the Black Ducks in the salt marsh. The fine pattern on the white feathers and the fluorescent colours on his head are evidence of nature’s artistry.

Muskrats, which were absent from the marsh last summer, have returned this spring. They are welcome additions!

In the woodland along the trail, Blue Jays find peanuts left by walkers 

before the chipmunks can get to the nutty treasures. 

In the field by the trail, this American Robin draws our attention due to the feathers on the front of its upper breast. 

Could this be the start of molting?

This Red Fox, photographed from a distance, proved it has beautiful teeth.

Finally, closer to home, these two male Northern Flickers landed on a backyard fence. 

The bird on the right mimicked the movement of the bird on the left. They stayed in the area for several minutes bobbing their heads and other movements, initiated by one and repeated by the other. 

The animals make any day more interesting.

A perfect lunch spot

We went to see the geese family again but the birds weren’t in the basin where they had been the previous week. Both my husband and I had sore muscles so we decided not to walk that day. Instead, we enjoyed the location and had a picnic.

As we ate lunch on the bench, a pair of Mallards swam in the pond. We watched as they dabbled their way around, unconcerned by the spectators on the bench nearby.

In front of us, a Yellow warbler landed on some floating straw, appearing to rest before it went on its way.

On the islands in the basin, the leafless trees made it easy to see the tiny Yellow-rumped warblers which landed among the branches.

A larger bird, a male Bobolink, entertained us with its song for the longest time. 

These birds nest in hay fields but cultivation practices and pesticide use has affected the population making it a threatened species. I hope this male found a mate and a safe place to nest.

The noisy male Red-winged blackbirds were everywhere but we don’t often see the females. However, a female stayed on the bulrushes long enough for some photos. She has a touch of colour around her beak.

In the trees behind us, a Northern parula sat and entertained us with his trilling song. It is the first time we’ve seen this bird which looks almost grumpy.

A male Gadwall flew into the basin and spent his time among the bulrushes.

It was a great lunch spot,

the ambiance was perfect and the food was just the way we like it. And the entertainment was world class.